so the question is is the president serious about avoiding the fiscal cliff. we know pain in this country is bad on the economy. it would only broad and deep fn we hit a double dip recession. is the president serious about avoiding that cliff and if not, why not. i think some people are wondering -- megyn: do you think it is a matter of principle for the president? chris fire walt cam -- chris stt with a piece to say it's an ideological commitment on the part of the president to make the rich pay more and to give others more. for him it's an ideological mission to take the money from high income and give to it people who don't have as much. >> i agree with chris he said that. that's what he wants to do. but the curious part to me is you had quite a few lawmakers on the republican side of the isle start t --side of the aisle stao crack. they are willing to come to table and play ball. but the president is on the campaign trail and upping the states with totally ludicrous suggestions and plans like the one if you can call it that, the one he put out last week wh